Interpretation #8342

Published November 20, 2019

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Original Request

Code Version
2017
Code
ENERGY
Code Description
Chapter
Residential Chapter 4 Commercial Energy Efficiency
Section
R403.7.1 Equipment sizing and R403.7.1.1 Cooling equipment capacity.
Topic
Is a Manual S required?

Question

Can a registered engineer use Code R403.7.1.1 cooling equipment capacity, exception #2 to justify compliance with R403.7.1 Equipment sizing.
In other words, are the two the same?

Answer Published 11/20/2019 at 1:15 PM

No, The code section R403.7.1 allows for other approved methodologies, but they do need to be based on the directional orientation of the building.

Commentary

Approved means "Approval by the code official as a result of investigation and test conducted by him or her, or by reason of accepted principles or test by nationally recognized organizations. It would be up to the jurisdiction to accept the cooling loads based on what is being submitted by the engineer. However, sizing must be done in accordance with good design practice. Your determination as to that.